Product photography involves creating detailed and appealing images of products, which directly impact customer purchasing decisions and can increase conversion rates and sales. A compelling image can convert a browser into a customer. DIY product photography can be cost-effective with tips, setup strategies, and app recommendations. This blog aims to guide readers through the process of DIY product photography, demonstrating useful tips and tools for creating quality visuals that drive sales.
What Tools Are Necessary for Expert Product Photography?
For successful product photography, the right equipment is essential. Even with a limited budget, you can set up a Product Photography Montreal studio that produces professional-quality results. Consider purchasing the following:
- Tripod
Mount the camera on a tripod to ensure sharp images, especially with slower shutter speeds. This equipment reduces unwanted blurring and provides the stability required for clear shots.
- Foam Boards
Use white bounce cards to eliminate harsh shadows. Place these cards opposite the light source to reflect the light onto the product. Foam boards, readily available in stores, make excellent bounce cards.
- Tape
Use tape or clamps to keep the setup stable. These help to keep backgrounds and other elements in place.
- Camera
Choose a camera within your budget, whether a Canon DSLR or a smartphone. Remember that the camera is only one component of the equation; the techniques used, such as lighting and styling, are equally important.
- White background
Select a white background appropriate for the product. Consider purchasing a white sweep for regular shoots. For a less expensive option, purchase pure white poster boards from a local store.
- Table
Set up a standard folding table, preferably 24 to 27 inches wide. This is the foundation for your shoot, ensuring a consistent height and angle for your products.
- The appropriate space
Natural lighting works wonders in product photography. Find a room with a window near a wall. Control the intensity and effect of the light by adjusting the distance between the product and the window.
What are the tips for product photography?
When it comes to product photography, there are numerous tips that new entrepreneurs can implement to improve their stores. We’ve compiled a list of the best Montreal product photography tips for new entrepreneurs below.
- Make the most of the natural light.
Position your table near a window for soft, natural light, turn off lights, adjust setup angles, and avoid direct sunlight. Arrange a smooth backdrop, secure it, centre your subject, and allow room for reflectors if needed.
- Use a flash diffuser.
A flash diffuser is a crucial accessory in product photography, ensuring well-lit shots without harsh lighting. It creates a natural lighting effect, improving the appearance of photographs and making it a preferred choice over the built-in flash.
- Possess pictures for every type of product.
A visual representation of product styles and colours on your website is crucial for customer engagement and trust. Showing multiple colours or designs can build trust and increase sales, especially when multiple variants are available.
- Set the macro setting.
The camera’s macro mode is a valuable tool for selling detailed products like jewellery, as it focuses on the smallest but most significant details, fostering trust and allowing for proper lighting, manual focus, aperture adjustment, and angle experimentation.
- Add a visual aid to demonstrate the scale.
Customers often ask about product size, but descriptions can be difficult to interpret. Using everyday items like mugs, books, or pens can help customers visualize the product’s size and fit into their lives.
- Shoot from several angles.
Capture product views from multiple angles to reveal unique aspects and increase sales. Use eye level, high, low, and bird’s-eye perspectives. Maintain a steady camera and tripod for uniform shots, and rotate the product for new angles.
- Edit and refine every picture.
Post-production work is crucial for product photography, as it involves minor edits to enhance the product’s appearance and increase its chances of selling, ensuring it is presented in the best possible light.
- Modify the camera’s settings.
To prepare for the best shots, set White Balance to Auto, turn off the flash, shoot in RAW, choose the large size and superfine quality, and adjust ISO for light sensitivity. Manual mode or aperture priority can be used for more control.
- Take product pictures against a white background.
An infinity cove creates a seamless background, creating a curved, all-white space. A photo editing app can remove the background from a standard white background, making it ideal for standard product photos.
- For lifestyle photos, use a bokeh background.
Bokeh, a popular style for creating cool backgrounds, can be created using tin foil, a prime lens, and product photography lighting, making it suitable for social media or website banners.
- Prepare the composition and colours in advance.
When taking photos, consider composition, take smartphone previews, and choose colours that reflect the brand’s identity. E-commerce platforms should be suitable for product arrangement, and earthy tones can emphasize the natural connection of an organic product line.
- Pay attention to the lighting in your pictures.
Product photography uses two types of lighting: soft and hard light. Soft light has more light, while hard light has less light. The distance between lights also affects appearance. Avoid combining different light sources, as only one source will enhance the image.
- Arrange the products properly.
To create visually appealing product photographs, ensure organized and well-planned gaps between items. Avoid haphazard piles and spacing too far apart, allowing clear views of each piece while showcasing the complete set.
- Take various kinds of product pictures.
Diversifying product photography styles, including lifestyle, detailed, and group shots, can enhance the customer experience by showcasing products in real-life settings, showcasing unique features, and promoting bundles or kits.
- Make images optimized for search engines.
Optimizing images for SEO success involves balancing quality and optimization, ensuring clarity, and determining container sizes. Efficiently resize images, save as JPEG, and use intelligent compression tools for optimal performance.
Conclusion
These DIY impression product photography tips teach you how to capture stunning product photos for your store, influencing customer perception and trust, but professional photographers use advanced equipment and knowledge to create consistent visuals, reinforcing brand identity and appealing to customers.
A team of talented professionals at Impression Photography, a professional product photography Montreal studio, produces high-quality product images.
